M9 crash driver only had provisional licence

Scott McAngus

A man who was driving the car in the M9 crash which killed two people only had a provisional licence, according to reports.

John Yuill and girlfriend Lamara Bell, a mother-of-two, both died after their car veered off the motorway on July 9.

John Yuill, who died at the scene of the crash in July

Mr Yuill (28) died at the scene but Miss Bell (25) lay injured in the car for three days before officers found her after police had received a 101 call reporting the incident.

She died from her injuries in hospital on July 12.

According to reports from national newspapers, Mr Yuill’s family has confirmed he had not yet passed his driving test and had been due to sit it. They also feel that the fact that he didn’t have a full licence did not contribute to the accident.

It is illegal to drive without licence unless a qualified driver is in the passenger seat. Learner drivers must also display ‘L’ plates on the car.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Both families have been advised of the outcome of our investigations into the cause of the road incident.

“A report has been completed and provided to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.”

The deaths sparked a major review of Police Scotland’s call handling procedures by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner, while the force’s Chief Constable Sir Stephen House announced he will stand down from his post in November – almost a year before his contract expired.